2009-10-16  Source:China Daily

The world's environment is deteriorating at an alarming speed. Economic growth has come at a high environmental cost. Pollution of the air, water and land is having a serious impact on the well-being and health of people and on the world's ecosystems. These environmental problems are not only affecting China. Emissions of CO2 contribute to global warming, and degradation of land and forests and air pollution may have consequences far beyond national borders.

The Chinese government has now placed a strong emphasis on improving the situation. In its efforts to achieve an economic growth that is compatible with sustainable development, China has a mutual interest with Norway in combating a deteriorating global environment.

Our two countries have cooperated on environmental issues for more than a decade. A good platform for collaboration has now been established. Dialogue and project cooperation within the spheres of climate change, air and water pollution, hazardous substances and biodiversity have been useful for both countries and have allowed for the development of a common understanding and a strengthened capacity in dealing with important environmental challenges.

Norway supports projects that contribute to China's implementation of global environmental conventions and involve Norwegian and Chinese partners working jointly on environmental management issue. These include developing of provincial strategies for climate change, using hazardous waste in cement kilns in order to replace coal and secure an environmentally sound management of hazardous waste, improving environmental planning effectiveness in five-year plans and strengthening the ability of provincial environmental decision makers to reduce mercury pollution and persistent organic pollutants. New projects in the interface of climate change and air pollution, and climate change and biodiversity are in pipeline.

Norway financially supports the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), as well as attaching great interest to its activities. With Chinese and international high-level participation, CCICED undertakes research and makes valued recommendations to the Chinese government. This makes it a unique institution. Norway is pleased to have experts involved and that a former minister for the Environment hold the post as a vice-chair.

This year CCICED's focus is on energy and the environment. As the largest producer of coal in the world and as the largest emitter of green house gases, China has an important role to play.

China has set ambitious national targets on energy efficiency and renewable energy and its role as a responsible international player with regard to the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen is very encouraging.

The stimulus package, presented as a response to the economic crisis, provides China with real opportunities to progress towards a low-carbon and green economy. China's need for a new development path is not only a challenge, but also represents an opportunity for innovation and a highly needed restructuring of its industry.

Norway looks forward to continued collaboration with China on environmental issues in a time of challenges and opportunities.